Australian watchdog sues VW over emissions
Australia is suing the local arm of Volkswagen for allegedly misleading customers by selling modified vehicles that covered up emissions fraud, with its consumer watchdog claiming Volkswagen intentionally sold more than 57,000 such vehicles over a five-year period. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is seeking a public declaration of misconduct, financial penalties and corrective advertising. Volkswagen Australia said it is reviewing the ACCC claims.
Continue ReadingNFDA Dealer Attitude Survey results
This year’s National Franchised Dealers Association Summer 2016 survey, published today, had 1,746 respondents from a total participating dealer network of 4,090, which equates to a response rate of 43 per cent. This is the highest return ever, surpassing last winter’s high of 39 per cent. There were 28 franchise networks in the survey which represent a range of dealer sizes and ownership type from across the UK.
Continue ReadingMazda recalls 2.2 million cars
Japanese carmaker Mazda has said it is recalling 2.2 million cars worldwide because of a defect in their tailgates. The recall affects about 400,000 cars in Japan and 1.8 million sold on export markets.
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Giti Tire appoints Torsten Gehrmann as new senior managing director – Europe
Giti Tire has appointed Torsten Gehrmann (45) to the new position of senior managing director – Europe. Confirming the departure of former managing director – Europe Corrado Moglia, Gehrmann said, “we thank Corrado for the work he performed for the company.” Since September 2015 Moglia had split the European MD role with Stefan Fischer following the resignation of Richard Lyons. Fischer will continue in his existing position as managing director - Europe for Product Technology and R&D Centre Europe.
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Yokohama adding more products to expanding 4×4 range
Yokohama is expanding its range of 4x4 and SUV tyres with the addition of the brand new Geolandar A/T G015. Yokohama has been increasing its presence in the segment with new original equipment deals to go alongside its less aggressive Advan Sport V105 SUV tyre range, fitted by premium brands such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, and the Geolandar SUV G055, chosen by Chrysler for the latest edition of the Jeep Cherokee.
Continue ReadingRMI calls for apprenticeship funding review
RMI Bodyshops (NAB & VBRA) is urging the government to review its recently released funding levels for the new trailblazer apprenticeships. Jason Moseley, RMI Bodyshops Director commented: “the new funding rates proposed fall concerningly short of those needed to deliver a robust and quality apprenticeship programme. The proposed rates do not cover the funding required for equipment, tools, products and teaching resource to deliver these programmes.
Continue ReadingUK drivers lose 37 million finding garages to fix their cars
New research by online car repair marketplace, ClickMechanic, has revealed that every year British motorists lose 893,461,500 hours – that’s more than 37 million days – trying to find a garage or mechanic to fix their car. With more vehicles on Britain’s roads than ever before it stands to reason that there are more drivers to experience breakdowns and other problems. By the end of March 2016 there were 36.7 million vehicles licensed for use on GB roads – more than 900,000 had registered in that single first quarter of the year alone.
Continue ReadingTyreClick reaches £10 million of revenue
TyreClick, the website developed by Micheldever Tyre Services to help its independent customers compete for online sales, reports that the system has generated £10 million of revenue since its launch. The milestone figure was reached when a motorist placed an order for four 255/40R18 Kumho KU39 tyres with Hucknall Tyre & Exhaust Centre in Nottinghamshire.
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Tariff time again, but will they make a difference?
It’s tariff time again. The US government has imposed trade sanctions on US-produced OTR and industrial tyres before. They have done so with car tyres twice before. This time it’s truck tyres. But are they effective? Will they halt the rise of Chinese tyre manufacturers in general? And what does it mean for those doing business with truck tyres in the UK and Europe?
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China: US truck tyre anti-dumping tariffs and “abuse of trade measures”
China’s Ministry of Finance and Commerce (MOFCOM) has hit back at the US Department of Commerce’s (DOC) decision to preliminarily introduce anti-dumping tariffs of around 20 per cent on Chinese truck tyres exported to the US. Indeed MOFCOM called the ruling, which is in addition to roughly 20 per cent countervailing duties, an abuse of trade measures on Friday 2 September. Chinese tyre companies strongly oppose the US’s abuse of trade measures, ministry of commerce spokesperson told reports during a briefing in Beijing.
Continue ReadingTrelleborg buys International Tyre and Wheel Solutions
Trelleborg’s Trelleborg Wheel Systems business unit has agreed to acquire International Tyre and Wheel Solutions Ltd. (ITWS), the UK-based privately owned distributor of large solid off-the-road (OTR) tyres for the waste, recycling and demolition industries. The acquisition follows and, in Trelleborg’s words, complements the recent acquisition of Mitas and gives the firm access to both the pneumatic and solid tyre markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Continue ReadingHarley-Davidson to pay emissions penalty in USA
Harley-Davidson is paying US authorities $12m (£9m) to settle allegations its motorbikes polluted the air at higher levels than allowed. It has also been ordered to stop selling super tuners, devices that enable motorbikes to generate power but also increases emissions.
Continue ReadingRicardo and Quanchai to collaborate on new diesel engine development
Ricardo has signed an agreement with Anhui Quanchai Engine Co., Ltd. (Quanchai) – one of China’s largest diesel engine makers – to support the development of a new generation common rail diesel engine platform for commercial applications.
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Corrado Moglia leaves Giti Tire
Giti Tire managing director Corrado Moglia has left the company after 10 years in a variety of management roles at the world’s ninth largest tyre manufacturer.
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Rockwell helping Chinese tyremaker automate US plant
CEOs and experts from China’s leading companies gathered in Shanghai and Beijing to explore how smart manufacturing will deliver value to the manufacturing industry and support government initiatives including China Manufacturing 2025. Hosted by Rockwell Automation “The Connected Enterprise CEO Forum” was led by Rockwell Automation’s new president and CEO, Blake Moret. However the interesting point from a tyre industry perspective is that the firm revealed that it is helping any unnamed Chinese tyremaker construct a factory in the US.
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